Access to public transportation and mobility options strengthen individuals’ independence and is a backbone for community growth and development. It was an honor to facilitate a Board retreat this week with the team from IndyGo Foundation. The mission of the IndyGo Foundation is to help the community thrive by connecting people through accessible, equitable, and inclusive mobility solutions.
The mission of ACE Mentor Louisville is to engage, excite, and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and continued support for their advancement into the industry. It was a privilege to facilitate their strategic planning retreat as these outstanding leaders envision ways to expand and enhance their impact on young people across our community.
As a facilitator, I am privileged to meet amazing leaders and families and learn about their story. The remarkable Plantz family chose to honor the legacy of their son and brother Zac by forming a foundation with a vision to build communities by shepherding the odd man out. The foundation invests in young people by providing them with opportunities to grow academically, socially, and spiritually as they set out to establish inspiring legacies of their own. It was my great honor to meet this special family and facilitate their Board retreat.
Responding to those in crisis requires a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and substance use professionals, individuals, and families. Last week I had the privilege of facilitating a multi-day Board retreat focused on strategic planning with the team from CIT International. I am inspired by their commitment to promoting collaboration and effective training to support communities as well as those experiencing a crisis.
A thoughtful strategic plan includes the ideas and perspectives of Board, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders. It was a privilege to facilitate a strategic planning retreat with the fantastic team from CASA of the Lincoln Trail this past weekend. CASA of the Lincoln Trail provides trained community volunteers to speak for children in court who are victims of dependency, neglect, and/or abuse. If you want to make a difference in the life of a child, consider becoming a CASA volunteer!
When talented leaders with diverse skills, talents, and perspectives gather to discuss their vision for the future, the energy is infectious. Thank you to the incredible Board and CEO of Great Kids Inc for inviting me to facilitate their recent strategic visioning session. Great Kids makes our world a better place for kids by creating early childhood education curricula and training for home visiting programs who support families.
The cornerstone of an effective strategic plan is a vision that is graphic, inspiring, and attainable. CASA programs and volunteers help change the story for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. It was my privilege to facilitate a strategic planning retreat with the leaders of CASA of the Northern Bluegrass last week.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a world where mental health is treated the same way we approach other health issues? The Pete Foundation rallies communities to champion youth mental health and wellness through normalizing the topic, promoting education, and providing tools for healthy emotional development. It was a privilege to facilitate the recent strategic planning retreat with the leaders of this incredible organization.
Through our partnership with DCM Associates, we are excited to share that we have opened a search for the first-ever Executive Director of The Leadership Center.
The Leadership Center, a brand for the leadership programs of the Kentucky-based Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, works toward advancing the talent pipeline to support Paducah’s businesses, future economic development and community organizations. At this time, The Leadership Center is recruiting an experienced, entrepreneurial leader to become its first Executive Director. The organization seeks a highly transparent leader with uncompromising integrity who resides within or is willing to relocate to the Paducah, Kentucky area.
The Executive Director will provide visionary leadership to guide the organization with strategies that will continue to serve its members and the broader employer community. The position requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and knowledge in a related field, as well as five or more years of executive non-profit or organizational leadership experience with goal setting and strategic planning. Click below to view the full ideal candidate profile for this position.
If you would like to express your interest in this position, please send a cover letter and resume to Gregory Nielsen at gregory@dcm-associates.com. If you would like to discuss the opportunity further or would like to recommend a candidate, please contact Dr. Yvonne Styles, at yvonne@dcm-associates.com.
As a facilitator, one of the most rewarding experiences is spending time with a Board that asks “How can I best serve the mission and support the team?” I was honored to spend the day with the Board and leaders of CASA by the Lakes for their strategic planning retreat. CASA by the Lakes envisions a community where every abused and neglected child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.
It is magical when talented, passionate, and engaged leaders who are committed to the mission gather to plan for the future. Had a wonderful time facilitating a strategic planning retreat with the team from CASA of the Ohio Valley. These amazing leaders and volunteers advocate for abused, neglected, or dependent children within the Family Court systems of Daviess, McLean, Hancock, and Ohio Counties.
Professional development is critical to the success of all leaders. I invite you to join me at the upcoming Nonprofit CEO & Board Leadership Virtual Conference on February 22, 2024 presented by DCM Associates. I will be co-facilitating a panel discussion with my colleague Jay Weisman on “Strengthening Your Nonprofit Board.” Other sessions of the virtual conference include:
CEO Succession Planning – The CEO’s Perspective
CEO Succession Planning – The Board’s Perspective
Strengthening Your Leadership Team
Click below for more information and I look forward to you joining me on February 22 for a great day of learning and development!
CASA of the Bluegrass recruits and trains Court-Appointed Special Advocates so every child who has experienced abuse, neglect, or dependency can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive. I had a great time this past Saturday facilitating a Board retreat with the leaders of this amazing organization!
In partnership with Welborn Baptist Foundation, I was honored to lead a session this week in Evansville, Indiana on Board Champions: Habits and Practices of Healthy Boards. I was so impressed with the talent and engagement of the Board members and nonprofit executives in the room as we had a fun and thoroughly interactive discussion!
Reach out to us if your organization or foundation is interested in bringing Board Champions to your community.
You can go home again! I was born and raised in New York, which made this week extra special as I was able to be back in the NY/NJ area to facilitate a strategic planning retreat with the Board and staff leaders of 180 Turning Lives Around. 180 empowers survivors and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to find the courage and strength to turn their lives around.
Healthy nonprofits are built on strong foundations. Two critical components of a strong foundation are an informed, engaged Board of Directors and a compelling vision for the organization supported by actionable goals and strategies.
I am thrilled to announce an innovative partnership between NTC and Kentucky CASA Network (KCN) to develop dynamic Boards and actionable strategic plans with CASA programs across the State of Kentucky. With support from KCN, over the next 12-18 months NTC will have the opportunity to work with CASA programs across the State -- facilitating Board retreats and strategic plannings projects. Our vision is to amplify the great work being done in these programs by providing resources to elevate Board governance and develop actionable goals and strategies.
“The KCN recognizes that in order to deliver high quality advocacy services to abused and neglected children, we must build and sustain highly effective CASA programs across the Commonwealth. This all starts with strong board governance to provide this critical infrastructure and support. We are excited to work with NTC to further enhance our work as we move towards the vision of every child in Kentucky having access to a CASA volunteer.”
Andrea Bruns - CEO, Kentucky CASA Network
The Kentucky CASA Network provides ongoing development, training, technical assistance, and resources to local CASA programs across the Commonwealth. Currently, the Kentucky CASA Network is an association of 21 local programs, covering 92 Kentucky counties, which served 3,538 abused and neglected children in 2022. The KCN also advocates for the needs of CASA programs with industry stakeholders in the Capitol and throughout the state. The CASA programs in Kentucky are part of a larger national network.
Had a great time facilitating a strategic planning retreat this weekend with the Board and leaders of Tri-County CASA. Tri-County CASA trains volunteers to advocate for abused, neglected, or dependent children to help them find safe, permanent and loving homes.
I recently appeared on the Grant Writing and Funding podcast with host Holly Rustick. We had a wonderful conversation around How Habits Impact an Executive Director’s Fundraising and Philanthropy. We touched on topics including setting expectations with Board members, providing meaningful support, and creating a culture of accountability. Give us a listen!
When we launched Nielsen Training and Consulting back in 2018, we did so with a vision of a thriving community of nonprofits empowered and equipped to translate their vision into reality. 5 years later, we are humbled and honored to be partnering with nonprofits all across the country to do just that.
Now we are thrilled to welcome a new addition to the NTC team, Ms. Josie Raymond. Josie will be an integral part of our projects partnering with nonprofits in the areas of governance, strategic planning, and organizational development. She brings a wealth of experience and passion as an educator and policymaker. As soon as I met Josie, I was struck by her energy, talent, and commitment.
Join us in welcoming Josie to the NTC team!
"I'm thrilled to join NTC to support even more great people doing fantastic, mission-aligned work. Let's dig in!"
Josie Raymond
Josie's Bio:
Josie Raymond is an educator and policymaker committed to systems change to end poverty. As a former recipient of free lunch in public schools, she devoted her career to strategic programs and interventions for low-income students and families, as a middle school teacher, high school academic affairs director, higher ed success coach, and adult trainer. As the first Kentucky state representative to give birth in office, she continually advocates for policies to support mothers and families, including paid leave and affordable childcare. She founded and led a citywide advocacy coalition to bring universal pre-k to her hometown of Louisville, KY. She is a graduate of Columbia University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
16,721 Kentucky children were involved in court cases of abuse, neglect, and dependency in 2022. CASA volunteers are community members, just like you, who stand up and speak out to help abused and neglected children. This week, I was honored to speak and lead two sessions at the Kentucky CASA Network Annual Conference. I remain inspired by the talent, passion, and commitment of CASA leaders, volunteers, and Board members in Kentucky and across the country.
